It has been over four years since former heavyweight champion Chris Byrd (41-5-1 with 22 KOs) has stepped in the ring, but retirement is not keeping him at home doing nothing. Although Byrd misses swapping the leather and competing at a high level, being a father and traveling the land doing motivational speaking have kept him busy. During Byrd’s sixteen year career, he earned victories over such greats as Vitali Klitschko and Evander Holyfield, winning WBO and IBF heavyweight championships in the process. In this exclusive interview, Chris speaks out on his retirement, the heavyweight division, and much more.

Benny Henderson Jr. :  You have been out of the sport of boxing since 2009, so what has been going down in your retirement?

Chris Byrd: I do a lot of motivational speaking, with churches, businesses, I travel, so that keeps me busy. I have one kid in college, I have another fixing to go to college, and a child in high school.

BH: Do you ever miss getting in there and swapping leather?

CB: Every day, every morning I wake up I miss it. I miss the training, I miss everything that goes with boxing. I have been doing it since I was a child, so, it is in my blood. And when it is over, it is a hard thing to get over. I miss it everyday. I have complicated coming back at times, I have gotten in the ring and sparred a little bit, and people ask me when I am going to fight again, because I am still real sharp. But, it is over. You can only do it for so long. I am still in good health, so I am blessed, but, it is over.

BH: We have to throw Bernard Hopkins out of this question, because he is a freak of nature. To me it is sad to see fighters stay in the sport past their prime. You got out with no brain damage, no physical problems. But, you see so many fighters stay, way beyond their prime. Why do you think they stay as long as they do.

CB: Everybody is different, but it is in them. I am away from the game, I watch guys box and think, I can beat them. I am thinking like I am in my prime, so I can whip that guy. In reality, you do what you can do at any age. And at our age, we feel that the generation under us is not better than us. We look at these guys and feel we can beat them, so we give it another go trying to get that big shot again. I miss the competition, I miss everything about it, the crowds, the TV, everything. I truly miss it, but, it is over.

BH: You had a good career, you won the heavyweight title and all. but, looking back, give the readers your most three memorable moments, good or bad.

CB: I have so many, I guess getting the win against Vitali Klitschko, of course the Ibeabuchi, and getting to fight the great Evander Holyfield. Those three stick out.

BH: Looking at the division now, what are your thoughts on it all?

CB: There are a lot of very big guys, every division goes through this transition phase, where you have to rebuild these guys. There are a lot of heavyweights out there with good records. Look at Deontay Wilder, he has a bunch of fights all by knock out, and he has not hit his peak yet. Give these guys truly time to mature. I see this division getting better.

BH: I am going to throw out names out to you, and I want you being brutally honest, say the first thing that comes to mind...  Tyson Fury

CB: Big.

BH: Don King

CB: Corrupt.

BH: The Klitschko brothers.

CB: Best in boxing.

BH: Floyd Mayweather Jr.

CB: Unbelievable talent.

BH: Chris Byrd

CB: Giant killer. (Laughs)

BH: What advice would you give to a young fighter?

CB: Boxing is a sport of style. So many young fighters get used to one style, but there will be a style that will confuse you. So work everyday to adapt to all styles, work your skills, get strong mentally as well. A high IQ level will help you as well. Anybody can box, anybody can go to a gym and train, anybody can do the basic stuff. but what is going to set you apart? I remember watching Floyd Mayweather at fifteen years old, and I was like, wow. Now, years later, all these titles doing his thing. He developed, he got better. He is not just a basic guy, his style separates him from others. So, these young guys need to study styles. Watch boxers from journeymen, to champions.

Check out Chris Byrd’s, Byrd’s Eye View www.chrisbyrd.com

 
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